Speaker: Chris Peppler
Scripture Passages: Ephesians 4 and John 17
Diverse Unity | We seek the development of a unified and diverse congregation reflecting the diversity of our community. We value a culture that is informed and influenced by a multitude of ages, ethnicities, socioeconomic, educational. political, and experiential backgrounds. We are a people who collectively understand our greatest common denominator to be a spiritual poverty remedied only by the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Core Behaviors (We Will):
- Recognize the Fullness of God’s Family. We embrace diverse perspectives and viewpoints while seeking to discover commonality in the midst of our differences. We will resist the use of “us” and “them” language and actions. We will be eager to learn from a multitude of backgrounds. (As listed Above)
- Embrace the Role of Learner: We will seek to listen, learn and understand the perspective of diverse cultures. We will be willing to evaluate our theological and worshipful expressions through many cultural expressions as they align with the Gospel.
- Seek Diversified Input. We will pursue diverse perspectives within our leadership structure and will provide access points for diverse input when important decisions are being made, especially as those decisions directly impact our congregation and interactions with our community. We will be intentional in our platforming of people in our public gatherings, ensuring multi-ethnic and multi-cultural expressions.
- Celebrate. Realizing the diversity amongst the Body of Christ in our areas, we will celebrate the Christ-centered expressions of other ethnicities and cultures as we are given the opportunity. This includes diversity in music, other expressions.
- Think Before Speaking Or Acting. We recognize that our words and actions are subject to great misinterpretation across multi-ethnic and multi-cultural boundaries. As we prepare to speak and act, we will consider and even ask questions of the appropriate people concerning how those actions may be interpreted.